Nigeria should not be impoverished, according to Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.
The king also highlighted the unrealised potential of cassava derivatives, which are underutilised in Nigeria but account for billions of dollars worldwide. These include sorbitol, starch, and ethanol.
Additionally, he commended Agbeyewa Farms, a farming facility in Ekiti North, for transforming an already unsafe neighbourhood into a flourishing centre for cassava production.
The monarch praised the daring proposal to turn more than 20,000 hectares of land into mechanised cassava plants in a statement provided to reporters on Monday, calling it a revolutionary step towards changing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
According to the statement, the project is about more than just farming: “It is about rewriting the narrative of a community that was previously defined by fear and insecurity.
“The project intends to transform what was formerly a “kidnappers axis” into a land of opportunity to increase food security, draw in foreign investment, and provide innumerable work possibilities for locals.”
The Ooni spent two days touring the vast farms, which are spread across five communities, including Ipao and Itapaji.
Having personally observed Agbeyewa’s sophisticated farming methods, he conveyed his respect for their creative methods and dedication to solving Nigeria’s urgent cassava production issues.
According to the statement, the monarch said, “I’m here to see things for myself because seeing is believing,” while speaking during the visit. Currently, Agbeyewa is Nigeria’s biggest grower of cassava. We should not be a poor country for any reason at all.
He hailed the management’s production of drought-resistant cassava varieties as an example of agricultural innovation, pointing out the farm’s capacity to attain yields of over 30 tonnes per hectare, which are unprecedented when compared to the national average of 4 to 6 tonnes.
We cannot continue to farm using antiquated methods,” Ogunwusi said, referring to President Bola Tinubu’s views on mechanised farming.
“We can see from Agbeyewa Farms that innovation is essential, not merely a choice. They are at the forefront of demonstrating that agriculture can be both revolutionary and profitable.”
Speaking to more general concerns in the agricultural industry, the king urged immediate action to address the security threats that prevent farmers from working their land.
“The difficult aspects of agriculture have long been feared by Nigerians, but it’s time to confront these difficulties. It’s essential to our country. I’m stepping up my efforts to be a strong voice against agricultural insecurity.
“The present administration is making strides, but as a country, we must take this more seriously. For agriculture and Nigeria as a whole to have a better future, we must band together and take on these obstacles head-on.”
